Dressed in their blue capotes and encircled by red sashes the men of this irregular cavalry had an imposing effect, especially as they were provided with every variety of arms from muskets and pistols down to bows and arrows.
They were all expert riders and could equal in their feats on horseback the fabled Centaurs.
Down the Portage road which is a prolongation of the great business street of Winnipeg running to the West, they came.

On the 19th of June, 1816, they had arrived within four miles of the Colony headquarters--Fort Douglas.

Here at Boggy Creek, called also Cat-Fish Creek, a Council of War was held.

Some importance has been attached to their action at this point, as showing their motive.

That they did not intend to attack Fort Douglas has been maintained, else they would not have turned off the Portage Road and have crossed the prairie to the Northeast.